We’ve enjoyed a joyful Christmas at HBC this year! Following the theme ‘Simply Christmas’, we’ve sought to distil the message down to its basic essentials. We’ve anticipated hope, experienced joy, known peace, bowed down in worship, made a throne for Christ and experienced him afresh. So many special moments!
Our ‘Pop-Up’ Nativity was a real hit for young and old alike! So many good sports donned the costume of their favourite character…the memory of seeing the whole congregation pretend to tread through sheep poo on the way to the manger will be a lasting memory!! Before that, there was the annual ‘get in the picture’ nativity set up at Hertford Gala where hundreds dressed up and had their pictures taken.
Our Carols by Candlelight was experienced by just less than 400 people. The church was transformed into a wonderful atmospheric space for favourite old carols with an upbeat style, with contributions from our own ‘Male Voice Praise’ and ‘Puppets with a Purpose!’ The message focussed on
God’s lavish love expressed in Jesus – not just something we’re invited to know, but to experience ourselves.
It has been great to be involved with local primary schools this Christmas…leading assemblies at Bengeo Primary, and welcoming the whole of Hollybush Primary – pupils, staff and families – into the church for their Christingle Service. This is a new venture which we look forward to making a regular feature in partnership with the school. We also had some joyful short nativity services for our two Toddler Groups, and a Christmas Eve Crib Service quite literally built from LEGO!
Our seniors enjoyed a lovely Christmas dinner at Golden Lunch earlier in December, and the Tuesday Fellowship celebrated in their own way too. Many of our congregation and folks from local churches will support ‘Christmas Alone’ – a meal for those who would otherwise have no company at home, and several of our members at HBC are heavily involved with the Hertford and District Food Bank.
A carol service was also held in Sele Farm Community Centre – the fruit of the hard work and relationships that some of our members who live on the estate invest in. Around 30 hardy singers from the church ventured out in the rain, on the last Sunday before Christmas, to sing Christmas Carols to the residents of Bengeo which was met with grateful thanks, expressed on the community’s local Facebook groups. It was really special to see families appear at their windows and doors to sing along with some well-known songs. I am sure that Christmas 2019 will see more Carol Singing on the regular fixtures!
A huge thanks to everyone who made Christmas a special time at HBC!